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As the Team Purple candidates for Township Council, we’re proud to ask for your support to keep making Progress We Can Count On in Berkeley Heights by electing Julie Figlar and Rina Franchino to Council.

Understanding our community and the needs of our residents is something we value and live every day. We interact daily with our younger population and as mothers of young children we listen and talk to our community continually, whether it is on the sports fields, at PTO events, neighborhood barbeques, at the dance studio, Girl Scouts or even in the grocery store, we are part of the fabric that makes Berkeley Heights great. Running for Council was a decision we made because we are here for the long run, and we’re ready to roll up our sleeves and get to work!

When Mayor Angie Devanney and Team Purple took charge in January, Berkeley Heights was facing tremendous challenges. We are proud to stand behind their record of accomplishments in year one including:

Adding new committees to address critical needs, boosting environmental and historic preservation efforts as top priorities, and much more.

Together, we can do even more – we’re ready to join Team Purple and deliver Progress We Can Count On! We’re running a positive, issues-driven campaign that focuses on how we can make Berkeley Heights government work better for everyone, building on the accomplishments made by Team Purple in 2019. Here are some of our specific ideas to do this:

Refine the Township Master Plan to include specific plans for revitalizing our downtown, using the township’s citizen and business committees as a focal point.

Appoint a Council “point person” to lead the coalition of residents and stakeholders involved in our Sports and Recreation programs to create an action plan with a timetable.

This would include incorporating our commitment to improvement of fields and recreation spaces as part of a Parks & Recreation Master Plan, as well as any long-term infrastructure plans and working to create more walking/biking/jogging trails along the Passaic River.

Develop a 5-year budget forecast and a 5-year ratable forecast, both being essential for long-term planning needs.

Conduct a professional Management Study in 2020 to find additional cost savings and efficiencies which would complement our budget and ratable forecast.

Continue to evaluate the feasibility of shared service agreements on services such as 9-1-1 emergency dispatch.

Ensure that any future (re)development agreements include penalties for if/when developers do not meet certain project deadlines.

Work closely with Union County to preserve green space in our town.

Together with the Environmental Commission and our business community, enact a ban on businesses providing plastic bags/straws to customers, joining the growing movement across New Jersey for environmentally sustainable policies.

Pass an ordinance ensuring all establishments in Berkeley Heights that serve food to print in their menu when/if their food is cooked in any sort of highly allergenic substance, such as nut-based oil (peanut, coconut, etc.).

This is just the beginning. You can read about these ideas and others in greater detail on our website www.BHTeamPurple.com (to be live by September 15). We also welcome your ideas and questions, so please shoot us an email at julieforbhcouncil@gmail.com and rinaforbhcouncil@gmail.com, respectively. Our platform will continue to grow and be updated as our campaign unfolds. Stay tuned to our website and our Facebook page, Julie and Rina 4 BH (facebook.com/bh4all) for updates as we get closer to Election Day, Tuesday, November 5th.

Thanks for your support and we look forward to seeing you!

- Julie Figlar and Rina Franchino, Team Purple

The opinions expressed herein are the writer's alone, and do not reflect the opinions of TAPinto.net or anyone who works for TAPinto.net. TAPinto.net is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied by the writer.

Come out and participated in the 23rd Annual BH5K Sunday morning to run or walk.

With major grants to the new BH YMCA and Berkeley Heights Education Foundation and a commitment to help the victims of Hurricane Dorian in the north Bahamas, your participation has never been needed more.

Every dollar from registration goes towards our charitable grants. -- You can help make a ...

Come out and participated in the 23rd Annual BH5K Sunday morning to run or walk.

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ – The Berkeley Heights Police Department has added three new probationary patrolmen to its ranks. Michael Klimek, Timothy Neri, and Victor Pozsony, Jr. were all sworn in during the Township Council meeting Tuesday night.

“Tonight, I have the opportunity to bring forth three of our newest police officers and introduce them to the community,” said Chief of Police John ...

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ – Mini Puthenpura harvested a snake gourd from her garden earlier this month and thought it seemed exceptionally large – more than seven feet long.

For those who have never heard of such a fruit, it is a tropical or subtropical vine grown in India and other areas of Asia and Southeast Asia. It thrives in hot, humid weather – something Berkeley Heights enjoyed this ...

New Jersey Date Night is a series on NJ Flavor by relationship writer Craig Rogers.

When you date someone not from New Jersey they might ask why we’re known as the Garden State. Typically the answer can be found with one visit to a local farmer’s market, but if doubt persists all you have to do is take them to a New Jersey orchard.

A beautiful fall afternoon becomes magical when you visit ...

New Jersey Date Night is a series on NJ Flavor by relationship writer Craig Rogers.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites residents to attend “Women in Criminal Justice,” a free public seminar and panel discussion aimed at encouraging women to explore careers traditionally held by men. The event will be held at Elizabeth campus of Union County College, in Room 517 K of the Kellogg Building, located at 40 West Jersey Street, Elizabeth, on Wednesday, October 9 from ...

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites residents to attend “Women in Criminal ...

This month we will be viewing a TED talk done by Robert Waldinger o the topic of "What Makes A Good Life? - lessons on the longest study on happiness." In this TED talk, Robert Waldinger, Director of a 75-year study on adult development, shares 3 important lessons learned from the study and wisdom on how to build a fulfilling ...

On September 8, the Sunday School classes of Faith Lutheran in New Providence began a new church year. The School is for children from age 3 through grade 6. On each Sunday, classes begin at 9:40 am and end at 10:40 am. All children are welcome.

Sunday School occurs between the two liturgical services of each Sunday at Faith, one begins at 8:30 am and the other at 11 am. ...

On September 8, the Sunday School classes of Faith Lutheran in New Providence began a new ...

ASBURY PARK, NJ -- Besides sand, surf and Springsteen, Asbury Park has been known in recent years as a hub for the New Jersey LGBTQ community. HomeGrown Host Stephanie Willoughby spoke with Comedian & Activist Jess Alaimo about the LGBTQ-friendly atmosphere of Asbury Park. Alaimo grew up in Asbury Park, where she still lives, and has family roots here. She founded the Asbury Park Young ...

ASBURY PARK, NJ -- Besides sand, surf and Springsteen, Asbury Park has been known in recent years ...

My name is John Goop Mondelli. I am announcing my candidacy as a write-in candidate for Berkeley Heights Township Council. Due to what I believe is extreme corruption that is going on with the current administration I have decided once again to give it a try. I do not claim to have experience in this capacity. I'm just a good old boy from Berkeley Heights who has spent many years involved with ...

My name is John Goop Mondelli. I am announcing my candidacy as a write-in candidate for Berkeley ...

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to partner with WellCare Health Plans to present the first Union County LGBTQ+ Community Health and Wellness Fair scheduled for Saturday, October 5, 2019 at Union County College (1033 Springfield Ave, Cranford) from 12 noon until 4PM. All are welcome. Admission and parking is free.

“The LGBTQ community is diverse with specific health needs ...

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to partner with WellCare Health Plans to ...